Page 30 of Highland Ruse

“What are you saying?” Delilah asked, knowing full well what was being said.

Leasa’s head dropped forward. “I think we’ve all been poisoned.”

• • •

The day had been better than any Kaid had experienced since the massacre.

He’d even laughed.

It was hard not to when Donnan flirted with Leasa like a consummate courtier and Elizabeth kept staring at him with that quiet smile on her face.

He felt a grin touch his lips at the very thought. Happiness made a light come to life in her expression, and her laugh had been throaty and genuine.

Today, she was not a spoiled nobleman’s daughter—she was a woman like any other, sitting on the ground and sharing food and drink with friends.

Kaid settled the bag of food against the packs of clothing and other goods Elizabeth had brought with her for her new life with MacKenzie.

His good humor wilted away.

Much as he did not want to think on it at the moment, she was an English nobleman’s daughter. She was to marry MacKenzie, and she was the only leverage Kaid had against him.

Kaid would do well to keep such thoughts forefront in his mind.

Agony knifed through his gut. Kaid leaned into the sudden ache with a stifled grunt.

He waited for a moment until it passed before straightening, only to have it happen again. This cramp was far more vicious and made his mouth water with the need to be sick.

A cry came from where he’d left the women. He shoved himself upright and ran toward the shoreline. Both women were doubled over with their arms folded against their stomachs.

Donnan staggered out of the trees with one hand pressed to his stomach, the other holding his blade. His eyes lit on Kaid, and he let his sword dip to the ground where the tip dragged as he continued to march forward.

“All of us?” Donnan asked in a ragged voice. His face was pale and sweat gleamed on his brow.

Kaid nodded.

Leasa gave a squeal of discomfort and toppled to the ground. Elizabeth stepped toward her, but it was Donnan who straightened and lifted her into his arms. “I knew I shouldna have trusted that venison merchant.” He carried Leasa toward the carriage with a limping gait.

Elizabeth looked just as wan as her maid. Still, she remained upright, though the waves around her face were now plastered against her brow and cheeks.

Kaid moved to her side and took her arm. She faltered. “I can…” Breath wheezed from her. “I’m fine.” She shook her head.

She looked anything but fine.

A fresh blade of anguish lanced through Kaid, but he was able to resist giving in to it this time. Elizabeth might be playing at being strong, but she seemed about to collapse.

She gave a choked gasp and tugged at the front of her bodice. “So tight.”

She took another step, stumbled, and started to tilt.

Kaid caught her before any part of her had a chance to touch the grassy bank of the loch. His body clenched around another cramp, but he did not let his grip on her loosen. “I’ve got ye, lass.”

She pursed her lips, and she turned her face into his chest. She was suffering from another attack as well, and took it better than he had assumed any noblewoman ever could.

“Not the coach.” Her breath came fast and short between her words. “Please.”

Truth be told, he didn’t know if he could have lifted her into the coach even if she wanted to be there. He set her as gently as he could in the shade of the coach. Leasa and Donnan were already there, both still, both unnervingly pale.

Kaid knew he should stay awake, perhaps go get a healer, make his way to the village for help.